Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1880 — The Wrong card. [ARTICLE]

The Wrong card.

One of the “ old style”of commercial travelers was Jack Hazzard, of New York. Jack was passionately fond of the “ pasteboards,” and would occasionally even indulge in a little game with the boys iu the basement of the st:>re, when not upon the “ road.” One morning, when thus engaged, the old man ” was heard approaching, and Jack stuffed his last trick in his pocket, chucked the .rest of the pack into au empty case, and the company broke up. The cause of the intrusion was soon explained by Jack receiving an order to start for Philadelphia at once with samples of a new line of goods. Jack flung the samples into a valise, put on a clean paper collar, bought ten cigars for a quarter, and started at once. Arrived in Philadelphia, his first call was on.an old Quaker bouse on Bond street. Pulling himself together, Jack marched in, and, laying a card before the senior partner, who was bu-ily engaged at his desk, said, in his most sanctimonious mauner: “ That is the party I have the honor to reprt sent.” The follower of Penn looked carefully at the card, and theD, fixing his steely-blue eye on Jack, handed it back, saying: “ If that is the party thee represents, thee will find Philadelphia well stocked with his goods.” 4 Jack cast one horrified look at the card. It was the “ little joker,” on which a fellow-clerk had strongly sketched the head ai d horns of his Satanic Majesty; and the bold salesman, for once discomfited, beat a ha3ty retreat to his hotel.